Why Raiders Should Turn Porter Loose Immediately

The Las Vegas Raiders have a cornerback ready to go in third-round rookie Darien Porter.

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa State defensive back Darien Porter (DB25) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders made several moves on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. 

Knowing they had to improve everywhere, even on the defensive line, General Manager John Spytek got to work. He made a few additions during free agency and added potential starters through the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The cornerback position is one area where the Raiders have several questions. Without a proven top option in that room, we should see lots of competition for starting roles. 

Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs are no longer on the team, so Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham will look for options to replace them. 

One option is third-round rookie Darien Porter. Featuring some of the most intriguing physical tools in the draft, Porter has a shot to start immediately. 

Why should Porter be a starter when the Raiders take the field on the road against the New England Patriots in Week 1?

To start, as we mentioned, Porter might have the best physical tools on the team at corner. Decamerion Richardson gives him a run for his money, but Porter may take the cake in that regard. 

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, Porter fits the prototypical Carroll corner. He is long, athletic, and competes in coverage, which is what Carroll built his defenses on in Seattle. 

There are few flaws to Porter’s game, the only notable ones being his age and how tight-hipped he is. He may struggle to get himself turned around in coverage, which can lead to receivers getting a step on him downfield. 

Carroll and the defensive staff will do the best they can to coach that out of him, leading to his biggest flaw being minimized. 

When that becomes the case, there are not many reasons why Porter should not be one of the Raiders’ starters immediately. 

The current state of the Raiders’ cornerback room will also give Porter a shot to start right away. He is the shiniest new toy in the room, which should easily allow him to surpass some of the other corners. 

The Raiders drafted a player who has a shot to be a plus player eventually, and they should not wait to find out what he is capable of.

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